Category: AHL

15Oct

Tyler Donati(14) Chicago Express

Posted in AHL, ECHL | Leave a comment

Right wing, Tyler Donati(14) has spent most of his 5 years pro playing career in the ECHL with Elmira. He’s been called-up to the AHL for a total of 66 games (6 goals, 13 assists) but has mostly underproduced at the higher level of hockey.

Chicago Express signed him for the new season. I would expect him to earn a call-up or two, especially if he can return to the AA hockey form that won him league MVP in 2009/2010 with 38 goals and 76 assists for 114 points in 67 contests.

Undrafted, he’s still young at 24 years old but the knock on him seems to be his small-ish size (5’10” 193 lbs.) and lack of physical play.

 

 

15Oct

Dennis McCauley(28) Reading Royals

Posted in AHL, ECHL, NHL | Leave a comment

3rd year undrafted forward Dennis McCauley(28) turned down Buffalo Sabres‘ qualifying offer to rejoin the team (very likely in Rochester) after a career year with Portland Pirates in ’10/’11, where in 73 games he put up 12 goals and 21 assists. He was considered a contract hold out for the entire summer.

Just before the start of the 2011/2012 season in a surprising move, he signed with the ECHL Reading Royals. In his first game with the team (a 4-3 OT loss) he scored his first goal of the year.

It’s a no brainer that he is the first guy to get  signed to a pto by an AHL team that’s looking for a power forward that can fight and get on the score sheet. Last year was probably no fluke for the 6’3″ 225 pounder.

14Oct

Chad Johnson(29) Connecticut Whale

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

3rd year goaltender Chad Johnson(29) posted a 41 save shutout in his first game of the ’11/’12 season with Connecticut Whale in the opening weekend of action.

Originally drafted by Pittsburgh Penguins in the 5th round of the 2006 draft (#125 overall) and traded before he ever skated a game with the team. He has only tended net for New York Rangers and their AHL affiliate in his pro career.

He’s appeared in 6 NHL contests over the past couple of seasons and is obviously vying for an early season call-up.

 

14Oct

David Savard(6) Columbus Blue Jackets

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

Columbus Blue Jackets‘ 4th round pick in the 2009 draft (#94 overall) defenseman David Savard(6) has scored himself some NHL playing time while James Wisniewski serves an 8-game suspension for the head shot he delivered in preseason play.

He had himself a good training camp in only his 2nd year pro. The proof is in last year’s stats for the fairly large (6’2″ 219 lbs.) d-man, who he put up some points (11 goals, 32 assists) in his rookie season while playing for their AHL affiliate, Springfield Falcons.

Look for him to earn a permanent spot on the Jackets’ blue line sooner than later.

 

12Oct

Kris Newbury(11) Connecticut Whale

Posted in AHL | Leave a comment

kris-newbury

9th year pro, the tough-as-nails center, Kris Newbury(11) is in the second year of his contract extension he signed with New York Rangers in 2010 and started of the new season with their AHL affiliate Connecticut Whale with his second career hat trick.

He’s played games in the NHL in each of the last five seasons (59 games, 4 goals and 4 assists). While those totals aren’t anything to keep him up in the show, he’s still an effective agitator.

Maybe not the biggest guy on the ice (5’10” 205 lbs.), he’s one guy that it’s never any fun to tangle with.

Kris Newbury was recalled by New York Rangers 10/16.

11Oct

Tommy Wingels(17) San Jose Sharks

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

tommy-wingels2

San Jose Sharks‘ 2008 6th round pick (#177 overall) center Tommy Wingels(17) played in 5 games in his rookie season up with the big team but failed to connect for any points.

With Worcester in the AHL he put up 17 goals and 16 assists in 69 games.

After a strong showing in training camp, he found himself in in the lineup on opening night and got himself his first NHL point, an assist and looks to be on his way to solidifying a permanent spot.

He plays with a lot of grit and determination every shift out there and has no problem putting himself in the middle of any situation.

 

10Oct

Maksim Mayorov(16) Columbus Blue Jackets

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

Columbus Blue Jackets‘ 2007 4th round pick (#94 overall) Maksim Mayorov(16) has consistently played a few games each of his four seasons in the organization but had only managed one goal in 12 games.

He found himself on the 2011/2012 opening night roster but was a healthy scratch in the team’s first loss of the season. For their second game he had a spot in the lineup and potted a goal. The quick scoring start may help win the argument to keep him playing in the NHL.

In 214 AHL games with Syracuse Crunch and Springfield Falcons he has 53 goals and 43 assists for 96 points.

10Oct

Marc-Andre Cliche(22) Manchester Monarchs

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

Manchester Monarchs‘ team captain, center Marc-Andre Cliche(22) makes an argument for an early season call-up to Los Angeles with a hat-trick in the AHL season opener.  Going into his 5th year pro, he’s only managed one NHL game with no points registered.

Originally New York Rangers‘ 2005 2nd round pick (#56 overall), he has played in the Kings‘ system since 2007 and been a character guy for Manchester each season. The biggest knock on him would be size. He’s listed at 6’0″ 203 lbs. but that’s as they say being generous.

 

09Oct

Chris Bourque(17) Hershey Bears

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

Entering his 7th season pro, 2004 Washington Capitals 2nd round pick (#34 overall) Chris Bourque(17), son of Ray, returns to the “team” after a year abroad to play in the KHL and Swiss-A leagues. He’ll likely spend the majority of his playing time in the AHL with Hershey, where he’s played 319 of his games.

It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him get more looks in the NHL to add to his 33 games with the Caps and Pittsburgh Penguins (1 goal, 3 assists). He has good hands and maybe it’s just taken more to grow into his game.